Not prudent to reopen Suryanelli rape case probe: Tewari

New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Rebuffing demands for re-opening the probe against veteran Congress leader P.J. Kurien in the Suryanelli rape case, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari Tuesday wondered if the move would be "prudent" since the apex court had cleared the Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson in the case.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Tewari said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had answered demands from the Kerala opposition, led by former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, "very succinctly" by refusing a probe.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had said the central government had nothing more to say on the subject, apart from Chandy's statement.

"The issue has been conclusively adjudicated by the Supreme Court, and after the Supreme Court, is it prudent for us to reopen the investigation.. Where is it going to leave the ethos of law is something that needs to be introspected upon," said Tewari.

Chandy said Tuesday that wrong-doers should be brought to book, but those who are innocent should not be pilloried or crucified.

The Suryanelli case is named after the place where the victim hailed from, in the state's Idukki district. The crime occurred in January 1996 when the then 16-year-old was brutally raped for 45 days by 42 men.